Voting-machine.



No. 723,923. PATENTED MAR. 31, 1903.

E. E. RITCHIE.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY s, 1902. A

lo MODEL. 1o SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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No. 723,923.. PATENTBD MAR. s1, 1903.

B. E. RITCHIB.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5, 1902.

H0 MODEL. 10 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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No. 723,323. PATENTEII 13131331.1903. l E. E. RITCIIIB. I

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULI 5, 1902. i

No MODEL. Y 1o SHEETS-SHEET a.

@g/9m www 'mi Y .4

No. 723,923. PATBNTED MAR. s1, 190s. E. E. RITGHIE. f

VOTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 5, 1902. ,l

N0 MODEL. l 10 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

@jef

No. 723,923. PATBNTBD MAR. s1, 190s. E. E. RITGHIE.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5, 1902. N0 MODEL. l' 10 SHEETS-SHEET 5,

fij w .NO IODBL.

M2515@ 6&5,

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED -JULY 5, 1902.

' l0 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

'110.723.923. PATBNTED MAR. 31,1903..

E.. E. RITGHIE.

VOTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 5, 1902.

I0 IIODEL. l 10 SHEETS-SHEET '1.

lil/2.6,

Tn: Nonms PETERS co.. summuwa, wAsmNGroN, D. c.

No. 723,923. PATENTBD MAR. 31, 190s.

'El E. RITCHIB. 'VOTING MACHINE.

PPLIOATIQN FILED JULY 5, 1902.

I0 MODEL. 10 SHEETS-'SHEET 8.

' f N ,ff f/f f fff/ um fr/ www No. 723,923. PATENTED MAR. 31, 1903.

L'. E. RITGHIB. VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5, 1902. H0 MODEL. v 10 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

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N5. 723,923. ,PATENTED MAR; a1, 1903.

E. El. RITGHIE.

UNITED STATsi/sjr @PATENT Omron.

ENOOH E. RI'lTOHIE, OF HOWARD LAKE, MINNESOTA.

YOTING-MACHINE.

., SPECIFICATION forming part of` Letters Patent No. 723,923, datedMarch 31, 1903.

Applicationnfiled July 5,1902. Serial No. 114,368. (No model.)

T0 all wwnt t 77mg/ concernY u Be it known that I, ENOOH E.RITOHIE,aciti- 'zen of the United States, residing at Howard Lake, in the countyof Wright and State of `Minnesota, haveinvented certain new and usefulImprovements in Voting-Machines;'

and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the in vention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has for its object to provide an improved Voting-machine;and to this end it consists of the novel devices and combinations ofdevices hereinafterdescribed,and defined in the claims.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,'wherein likecharactersindcate like parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is' a plan view of the complete voting-machine, some partsthereof being broken away. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machinewith some parts broken away. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectiontaken approximately on the lineas3 x3of Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a verticalsection taken fromY front to rear of the machine on the line 004004 ofFig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail in plan, showing the resetting-lever andcooperating segment. Fig. is a vertical sectiontaken from front to rearof the machine on the line :r/ of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectionon the irregular line :1:7 007 of Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a transversevertical section taken approximately on the line sxg of Fig. e, .someparts being broken away. Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on the line939009 of Fig. 4, some parts being broken away. Fig. 10 is a detail inhorizontal section on the line :1:10 :1010 of Fig. 6. Fig. 11 is adetailshowing the mechanism at one side ofthe machine, partly in frontelevation, but principally in vertical section, on the line il tu ofFig. 4. Fig. 12 is Va vertical and transverse section taken onthelinem12 m12 of Fig. 4. Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken throughthe rotary drum and registers or tallies carried thereby on the line m13m13 of Fig. 3. Fig. 14 is a vertical section corresponding to Fig. 6,but with parts broken away and 'with the parts shown in differentpositions. Fig. 15 is a detail in horizontal section on the line 1355015of Fig. t5, some parts being broken away'and others removed, but showingthe drum in a position corresponding to the position shown in Fig. 14.Fig. 16 is adetail of one of the wheels of the registers or tallies; andFig. 17 is a diagram viewshowinga ticketlaid out at,which ticket will besecured to the periphery of the rotary drum, and showing also certainother parts in diagram.

The numeral 1 indicates a box-like case,

shown as provided with a narrow transversely- A extended section 1, witha transversely-extended glass pane 2 at the base of the said section 1a,and provided at one side with the hinged door 3, which is adapted to benormally locked, but which when opened adords access to the interiormechanism of the machine.

The numeral L1 indicates a metal blade which is pivoted at 4 to thecase-section l and is provided with an arm extension 4b, adapted to besecured by a padlock 11C to a staple 4d on the case-section la. As willhereinafter appear, this blade 4 when locked, as indicated covers asmuch of the transparent pane 2 as is necessary to cut off the view ofthe tallies orA registers.

The registers or tallies are all carried by a large rotary drum d, theshaft a' of which is pivotally journaled in bearings on the sides of thecase 1.A At one end the shaft ct has a loose pinion a2, the hub of whichcarries a ratchet-wheel 2a, which cooperates with a spring driving-pin2b, carried by the hub of the drum. At its other end the shaft a carriesa ratchet-wheel 2c, which cooperates with a spring-pressed pawl 2d,mounted on the side of the case 1. The elements 2c and 2d preventbackward rotations of the drum o.. This drum is recessed to receive theregisters or tallies and is provided with a cylindrical peripheral shelld3, which incloses the said tallies, but is provided with thesightvopenings d4, through which the readings of the tallies are exposedto View. As shown, each register involves three Wheels ZJ, located sideby side, the primary members thereof having external ratchet-teeth b andall thereof being marked on their peripheries with the successive digitsO to 9, inclusive.

Wheel b is further provided with peripheral notches b2, with whichsprings b3 on the drum d coperate to yieldingly hold the said wheels IOOagainst accidental movements, as best shown in Fig. 13.

The several tally-wheels are loosely mounted on transverse shafts b4,rigidly secured to the drum ct. The primary or first wheel b of each.tally and also the second member thereof are provided withspring-fingers b5, the free ends of which are adapted to' be engagedwith ratchet-teeth be of the second and third wheels, as shown in Fig.16, whenever the said fingers are brought into engagement -with iixedcam-lugs Z2? on the said shaft b4.

This engagement takes place once for each rotation of a given wheel, andwhen it takes place the wheel of higher order is given a one-tenthrotation, and thus the carrying of the tens is effected. It will,however, be understood, so far as my present invention is concerned,that the registers or tallies may take various forms.

In the drawings a very much smaller number of tallies is shown thanwould be required in an actual working machine designed for use atelections. However, the principle would be the same. Also the machineillustrated is designed to permit the representation of three politicalparties, assumed to be the Republican, Democratic, and Prohibitionparties. The tallies or registers appropriate to a given party areextended in the same plane circumferentially around the drum, while thetallies which are appropriate to the different political parties, but tothe same ofiice, are located in axial line-to wit, on the same shaft h4.

The normal position of the drum ct is indicated in Figs. 4and 6, and, infact, in all other views in which it is shown except in Figs. 14 and 15.The drum is pnt under strain to rotaie in the direction indicated by thearrows marked on Figs. 4 and 6 from a quite heavy spring c, shownattached to the bottom of the case 1 and lo a segmental gear d, theteeth of which mesh with the pinion a2 of the drum-shaft ct'.

To properly restrain the movements of the rotary drum a, there isprovided an escapement-pawl d, carried by a rock-shaft d", arranged tobe oscillated as hereinafter described. rlhis pawl CZ cooperates withratchetteeth d2, formed on the periphery of the drum c, preferably bystamping teeth-like projections from the cylindrical shell (t3 of saiddrum, as best shown in Figs. 4, 6, 13, 14, and 17. The rock-shaft d,which carries the pawl (l, is provided with a plurality of projectingpins or rods d3 for a purpose which will presently appear, and againstone of these a' spring d4 on the side of the case engages to yieldinglyhold the pawl d in an operative position.

Suitably mounted in the top 1n of the case and within a suitablesupporting bracket 0r shelf l", secured within said section l, are threevertically-movable keys f, yieldingly held upward by springs f', as bestshown in Figs. 6 and 14. At their lower ends these keysfare providedwith depending fingersf?, which are adapted to work through perforationsf3 in the drum-shell c3 and to engage directly with the ratchet-teeth bof the primary tally-wheels b when the said keys are depressed to theirlimits, and thus to actuate the tally. When one of the keys f is thusdepressed, its shouldered lower end engages one of the pins d3 of therock-shaft CZ', and thus rocks said shaft and raises the pawl d out ofengagement with the adjacent teeth d2 of the rotary drum, and thuspermits the said drum to rotate slightly-to wit, as far as permitted bythe play between the depressed finger f2 and engaged perforation fS-suchmovement being sufcient, however, to carry the released tooth d2 forwardof the free end of the said pawl (l, so that the proper step of movementmay be imparted to the drum as soon as the depressed key is raised. Inline with the three keys f, but at the right thereof as viewed in Figs.l, 3, and 9, is a fourth key j4 of substantially the same constructionas the keys j" and likewise provided with a depending finger f2, whichworks through certain of the perforations f3,`provided in the drum-shella3, below the same. This key]L14 is termed the blank7 key, since notallies are provided for cooperation therewith. When it is depressed,however, its lower end engages one of the pins d3 of the rock-shaft d'and its tingerf2 enters one of the said perforationsf, thereby producingthe same eseapement action and permitting the same step of movement tothedrum as if one ofthe other keysf had been depressed.

The device forlimiting the number of votes which may be cast for thecandidates for the particular office is best illustrated in Figs-3, 4,10, 11, and 17 and, as shown, comprises as follows: Loosely mountedwith'perfect freedom for limited vertical movements withina suitablekeeper g is a plurality (as shown, three) of counting blocks orescapementslides g and also an escapement-lock g2, the latter of whichis provided at its upper end with a detent g3, which cooperates with theteeth g4 of a ratchet-bar g5, mounted to slide transversely on the upperflange of a supporting-shelf l of the case-section 1. The ratchet-rackg5 is yieldingly drawn toward the right with respect to Fig. 3 andtoward the left with respect to Fig. 11 by means of a coiled spring gi.

For direct cooperation with the counting or limiting blocks or slides g'a plunger or slide Q7 is mounted in suitable keepers g8 on the lowerflange of the supporting-shelf 1l. A chain or other non-elastic iexibleconnection Q9, which runs over a guide-sheave gw on the shelf 1b,connects the plunger Q7 and the ratchet-bar g5 for reverse movements. Aspring g, connected to said plunger Q7 and, as shown, to a pin 912,projecting from the shelf 1b, yieldingly draws said plunger toward theright with respect to Figs. 3 and 10 and toward the left with respect toFig.

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11. The springs Q0 and Q11 always keep the chain Q0 taut; but saidspring Q11 is strong enough to overcome the spring g6 and move theratchet-bar Q5 inward or from its normal position (indicated in Figs. 3and 11) whenever said ratchet-bar is released. Normally, however, saidratchet-bar is locked in its normal position by the engagement with theteeth thereof of the detent Q3, carried at the upper end of the latchQ2. Furthermore, normally the counting or limiting blocks Q are alldropped downward, and the outer end of the plunger or slide Q7 engagesthe inner face of the upper end of the innermost of said blocks and isthus further held against outerV movement. The movement of the plungerQT toward the left with respect to Figs. 3 and l0 is limited by theengagement of a lug Q13 thereof with the stop-piu Q14 on the shelfl l1.

Adjustably mounted in keepers Q15 on the right-hand end of the drum asviewed in Figs. 3, 4, and 1'7 is a plurality of block-setting pins Q10.There is one of these pins Q10 for each series of axially-alined talliesor registers. These pins may be adjusted axially so that they willengage the lower end of the latch g2 and one, two, or threeof thecountingblocks Q. When one of these pins Q16 moves past and under one ormore of the said blocks Q and latch Q2, it will by action on the roundedor cam-shaped lower ends thereof (see Fig. 4) raise the same, suchmovements being .permitted by slot-and-pin engagements Q11. Said blocksQ are provided with notches Q10,which` when said blocks are raisedregister with the outer end of the plunger or slide Q1 and permit thesame under the action of the spring Q11 to move toward the right withrespect to Fig. 3 a distance depending on whether one, two, or three ofthe said blocks have been raised.

The latch Q2 is provided with a notch Q10, which always clears the endof the plunger or slide Q7. It is evident from the foregoing statementthat since the spring Q11 is stronger than the spring Q0 and since thelatch Q2 is always raised whenever one or more of the counting-blocks Q'is raised that when the said plunger Q7 is moved toward the right withrespect to Fig. 3 or toward the left with respect to Fig. 1l theratchet-bar Q5 will be moved yin a reverse direction or inward adistance measured in teeth Q1 equal to the number of blocks Q whichvhave been raised and then will be caught and held in such set positionby the detent QS of the latch Q2.

As best shown in Figs. 3, 7, and 9, the three keysf are provided eachwith a projecting pin or lug Q00, which directly overlies the upperportion of the chain Q0. The pins Q00 work between pins Q21, whichproject from the upper shelf or iiange of the bearingbracket l1 anddirectly underlie lthe upper portion'of the said chain Q0. The relationof ward far enough to drop or release one of the counting blocks Q', aswill be hereinafter more fully described. By the mechanism so fardescribed a so-called mixed ticket may be voted. i

To enable the votin g of the straight ticket, I provide the followingmechanism, which is best illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, 12, and 14: Looselymounted on the hub of the drum ct are three rings or collars 7tto wit,one for each political party represented, and consequently one for eachcircumferentially-arranged series of tallies or registers. Each ring 7f3is provided with a plurality of springpawls 7c', which engage one withthe ratchetteeth b of each tally of the corresponding circumferentiallyarranged series, as best shown in Fig. 6. Each ring 7c is further provided with a projecting arm 760, which works through a suitable slot inthe drum-shell a3.

For cooperation with each ring 7c is aV straight-vote key 7c3, whichworks vertically through a suitable support 761, formed as part of thecase l, and is provided with a prong 7c5, formed at its projecting endwith a perforation 7c0, which is adapted to receive the free'end of the'arm 7a2 of the corresponding ring 7c. Each key 7c3 is yieldingly heldnpward by a spring7c1 and is provided with the forwardly-projecting pin760 and with lateral notches 7c0.

A lock slide or plate 7.010 is mounted to move transversely of the casein keepers 7:11 on the lower shelf of the support 7a4. This lock-slide7c10 (see Figs. 7 and l2) is provided with shoulders or bladeprojections k12, which normally stand out of engagement but inhorizontal line with the lower notches 790 of the keys 7c3. Thelatch-slide 7.410 is yieldingly held in its nor'rnal position (indicatedin the drawings) by a spring 7613, connected to one end thereof and tothe side of the case. A chain 7:;14 is connected to the other end ofsaid lock-slide 7610 and extends from thenceover a guide-sheave 7615 onthe support 7a4 and outward over a guide-sheave 7G10 on one end of saidsupport 7a4, as best shown in Fig. 12. Said chain 7014 then passes overa guide-sheave 7c, secured Vwithin the case, and its upper end isattached to an arm 7c18 of a rockshaft 7e10, as best shown in Fig. 2.The rockshaft 7610 extends transversely through and is mounted insuitable bearings on the sides of the case-section l, and it isyieldingly held in its normal position by a spring 7t20, shown asconnected to its arm 7c1sand to oneside of the case. The chain 7c11passes directly underthe pins 7t-S of the keys 7c3 and directly over thepins 7621, which project inward from the face of the support 7a4.V Asisevident, when one of the keys 7t'0 is depressed the chain 7c14 will beput under tension and will be drawn in both directions. The exact actionof this operation will be traced a little later on. y

For cooperation with each of the three keys fthere is a lock-bolt 7W,which moves from IOC front to rear of the machine in suitable keepers7623 on the supporting-brackets lb 1C, as best shown in Figs. 6, 7, and9. When one ofthese lock-bolts is moved forward, it engages directlyunder the pin g of the corresponding keyfand locks the said key, so thatit cannot be depressed or operated. To simultaneously throw forward theseveral lockbolts 7622, they are connected to the rock-shaft 7610 bymeans of spiral spring-fingers 7624, the spring features of whichlingers are important when used in connection with mechanism hereinafterdescribed for adapting the machine for use at primary elections. l

By reference to Fig. 2 it will be noted that the spring 7620 normallyholds the arm 7618 of the rock-shaft 7610, which actuates the lockbolts7622, against a stop 7625 on the side of the case 1. A chain or flexibleconnection 7620, attached at its upper end to the arm 7618, is

' rovided at its lower end with a rin0f762T which when the connection isdrawn downward is engageable with a pin 7622, which projects from aninside vertical wall or partition 11 of the case 1. The intermediateportion of the connection 7620 is connected to the intermediate portionof the chain or connection 7614 by means of a short chain-section7620,which runs over suitable guide-sheaves 7630, mounted on thevertical partition 111. The purpose of these connections will laterappear. Pivoted on the shaft c2, which affords a pivot also for thesegmental gear c', is a resetting-arm c3, which works between thepartition l1 and the case-door 3. This resetting-arm c3 is normally heldagainst a stop c1 by a spring c5, and it is provided with alaterally-projecting linger o0, (see Figs. 2, 4, and 5,) which when theparts are thrown in the dotted-line positions, as shown in Fig. 2,engages the arm of the said seg-mental gear c/ and forces the same backto its normal position against the tension of the spring c, under whichmovement the ratchet-wheel 2a slips under the spring finger or pawl21,the drum dbeing held against return movement by the retaining device2c 211. The free end of the resetting-arm c3 is connected to one end ofthe slide 7610, preferably to a depending finger 7631 thereof, by meansof a chain or flexible connection 7622, which preferably runs overguide-sheave 7603, mounted within the case l. This connection 7602 hassuch slack that it will draw upon the slide 7610 only when theresetting-arm c3 is movedtoitsextremedownwardposition. (.Indicated bydotted lines in Fig. 2.)

The paWl-actuating rock-shaft c7 is provided between the partition 111and the adjacent side of the case with an arm C75, to which a dependingchain or iiexibie connection d0 is attached for a purpose which willpresently appear.

By reference to Figs. 3, 14, and l5 it will be noted that the drum hasnot quite reached or returned to its normal position, but stands in suchposition that the arm 762 of the straightvote register-actuating ring 76will not be engaged by the prong 765 of a cooperating straight-voteactuating-key. It will also be noted that in this position no one of theVoting-keysfcan be'depressed or the corresponding registers actuatedthereby. To positively stop the drum whenever it reaches this eX- tremeposition, I provide a lock, preferably comprising a spring-pressedlock-dogon, suitably pivoted within the case l and coperating with thenotch m1 of the cam-flange m2, carried by the adjacent end of the drum.In view of this lock the drum can never be reset by the voter or startedon its second rotation.

To enable the judge or attendant after opening up the door 3 to releasethe lock-dog m, a chain or other connection m3 is attached to said dogand extended through the perforation in the partition 1d and provided atits outer end with a knob or finger-piece m4.

The following is a summary of the operation of the mechanism so fardescribed. By an inspection of Fig. 17 it will be noted that all ofthose block-setting pins Q10 which are connected with thetransversely-extended series or groups of tallies appropriated to anoflice to which but one of several candidates may be elected areprojected to such an ex-l tent that they will engage and lift upwardonly one-to wit, the inner one-of the three blocks or slides g". On theother hand, it will also be noted that the particular pin g10 which isused in connection with the longitudinallyextended series or group oftallies which is appropriated to an office to which, say, two candidatesmay be electedsuch,forinstance, as justice of the supreme court-isprojected far enough to engage and raise the inner two of the saidblocks or slides, g. It will be further noted by reference to Fig. 17that two longitudinally-extended rows or series of tallies areappropriated to justices of the supreme court and that it is the forwardmember of the cooperating pins Q10 that is projected as just abovenoted, while the second pin is pushed inward so far that it will have noaction whatever on the counting blocks or slides g'.

We will first assume that the voter while the parts of the machine arein normal positions, as indicated in all of the views except Figs. 14and 15, wishes to vote a mixed ticket. We will further assume that thefirst series or transversely-extended group of registers or tallies isappropriated to governor. The voter first depresse's the particular oneof the keys f which is appropriated to the particular political partyupon whose ticket the particular candidate for governor for whom hewishes to Vote is represented. The depression of this key registers avote for the particular candidate. It also by engagement with thecoperating finger cl3 rocks the shaft d', raises the escapement-pawl c7,and permits the engaged tooth cl2 of the drum to move forward of thefree end of said pawl, so that as soon as the said key is released andpermitted to again rise the iirst step or feed movement IOO IIO

of the drum will take place and the next series of tallies-for instance,those appropriated to the several candidates for lieutenantgovernor-willbe brought to operative position. As is evident, it makes no dierencewhich one of the three keys fis depressed, except as to the particulartally which will be actuated. The feed movements of the dru min eithercase will be as above described. It will be remembered and will befurther noted by again referring to Fig. 17 that the particularslide-setting pin Q10 which corresponds to a particular group of talliesis set in advance, s0 that it will lift up and set the proper number ofescapement-slides Q before the said tallies are brought to operativepositions. Il", for instance, but one slide or block Q-to wit, the innerone-be raised or set, then the slide Q7 and ratehet-barg5 under theaction'of the spring Q11 and against the tension of the spring Q6 willbe set in the positions indicated in Fig. 11. Attention is here calledto the fact that the escapementlock Q2 is raised at the same time thatone or more of the escapement blocks or slides Q are raised, so that theratchet-bar Q5 is at such times released from the detent Q3. With thesaid parts set, as shown in Fig. 11 when one of the keys fis depressedits pin Q20, acting 0n the upper section of the chain Q9, will bucklethe same over the coperating pair of pins Q21, and as the ratchet-bar Q5is held againstinward movement by the escapementlock Q2 the slide Q7will be drawn inward against the spring Q11 far enough to drop theraised or set escapement block or slide Q. The escapement slide or blockthus dropped then again becomes a base'of reaction to prevent outwardmovement of the slide Q7 under the action of its spring Q11, when thedepressed keyfis again raised'. Then as the chain Q9 is left with slackthe spring Q6 becomes operative to move the slide Q5 outward one toothin distance. The slack is thus taken up and the ratchet-bar Q5 is lockedin its new position, which in the action just described is its normalposition. When the slide Q7 is moved inward to its normal position,(best shown in Figs. 3 and 10,) its stop-lug Q13 engages a stop Q14, aspreviously described. Hence when the said slide Q7 reaches this positionand the ratchet-bar Q5 is locked in its outer position thel chain orconnection Q0 is held taut, so that no one of the keys f can bedepressed far enough to actuate the tally or register.

The action Where several votes are to be cast for two or more candidatesto the same i oitice, snch'as justices of the supreme court, will bevery much as above described. If the two candidates happen to be foundin the same series of tallies or registers, then the two or more votesmay be simultaneously cast by simultaneously depressing two or more ofthe keys f. It the saidV candidates happen to be found in differentseries or groups of tallies, one in advance of the other, then they mustbe voted successively.

' tions.

Ot' course the number of escapement-slides or counting-blocks Q' whichare raised will determine the number of votes which .will be permittedfor a given oce. The raising of the given number of slides requires thetaking upofagiven amount of slack in the chain Q0, and it matters notwhether this slack be taken up simultaneously by depressing a number ofkeys at once or by depressing the same number of keys in succession.When the predetermined amount of slack is taken up in either way, theseveral keysf are locked by the chain Q0.

After the voter has cast all ot the votes to which he is entitled hecannot further manipulate the machine,

cast a vote for a particular oftice, he may do so by depressing theblank-key f1, the depression oi" which does not actuate a tally, butnevertheless causes a feed movement of the drum.

If instead of voting a mixed ticket the voter wishes to vote a straightticket, he may do so by depressing the selected one of the threestraight-vote keys 7c3. The depression ofone of these keys while theparts stand in the normal position (indicated in Fig. 6) causes theperforation k6 of the 'key-prong 765 to engage the end ofthe arm 7a2 ofthe ring 7s, and thereby oscillate said ring and simultaneously recordvotes for the candidates for the several ofliees represented on theparticular political ticket.

The depression 0f a straight-vote key 7c3 not only locks the otherstraight-vote keys in their normal positions, lbut also locks all of theindividual-voting keysf in their normal positions. This action takesplace as follows: The pin 75B of the depressed key 7a3 bends the chain7614 over the cooperating pins 7c21 and draws upon the same from bothends. It rst rocks the rock shaft 71:19 and through the spring-fingers7c24 moves lthe lock-bolts 7522 forward under the pins Q20 of the keysf, and thereby locks said keys f into normal posi- Then having taken upthe play in the chain 7611 it draws the slide 7t10 against its spring7.913 and forces the shoulders 7012 thereof into the alined notches 700of the said keys 7a3. This latter engagement cannot take place,vhowever, until the depressed key 7c3 reaches its extreme lowermostposition, in which position its upper notch 760 is brought into theplane of the latch-slide 7610.

The machine may be reset by the judge or attendant in the followingmanner: The door 3 is of course tirst opened. Then by pulling on thechain or connection d0 the shaft d is rocked and the escapement-pawl dis released from the escapement-teeth C72, so as toinsure the movementof the drum to the position indicatedin Figs. 14 and 15. Then to resetthe spring c and return the segmental gear c to normal position theresetting-arm c3 is moved downward into its dotted-line position, asshown in Fig. 2, at the limit of which movement the chainv 7c32 is drawnupon, thereby drawing the latch-slide 7c10 toward the left It', however,at any time he Wishes to skip certain candidates or not toA pressed pawlns coperat-es.

carried by the rear end of a lever n, pivoted with respect to Fig. l2,so as to release the straight-vote keys 7c3 and permit the depressedmember thereof to return to normal position. The return of the depressedstraight-vote key gives slack to the chain 7o and permits the spring7a2@ t0 become active to rock the shaft 7519 and throw the lock-bolts7522 back to their normal positions. 'lhen to cause the I'inal returnstep of movement of the drum to normal position the attendant takes holdof the finger-knob m"L of the connection m3 and releases the lock-dog m.

As is a well-known fact, it is necessary to provide a voting-machinewith means whereby independent votesthat is, votes for persons notrepresented on any of the ticketsmay be cast for any polil ical officerepresented. The name of the independent candidate is adapted to bewritten on a paper ribbon n, which is wound from a spool n. and on to aspool '17.2, both of which spools are suitably mounted within the casel. The ribbon n passes over guide-sheaves n3, over a platen or shelf n,and under an opening a5 in a glass plate 2, which parts are suitablysupported by thecasel. Thenamesofthecandidatesonthe several tickets areplaced circumferentially on the exterior of the drum. 'lhe opening vv"permits the point of a pencil to be applied to the ribbon 'it just abovethe platen nl.

It is of course necessary that the ribbon 'ft be given a step-by-stepfeed movement-to wit, one step of feed movement each time the so-r-alledblank-key f4 is depressed. Hence the receiving-spool n2 is provided witha ratchetwheel fa?, with which a spring- Said pawl ns is at n10 andconnected at its forward end to the said key f4 by a pair of pins nu orotherwise.

n.12 indicates a retaining pawl or spring` which prevents returnmovements of the receiving-spool n2.

The machine as above described is adapted for use at general elections,where provision must be made for the voting of a mixed ticket.

By an additional device now to be described l adapt the machine for useat primary elections, where it is necessary that the voter first selecta political party and having selected such vote only for candidates fornomination represented on that partyticket. First of all this primaryelection involves keys corresponding in number to the number of keysf-to wit, as shown, three. These primary-election keys p are suitablymounted for movement through the top of the case l and through the shelf1c, and, like the straight-vote keys, they are provided with upper andlower lock-notches p. Mounted to slide horizontally in keepers p2 on theshelf lC is a locking blade or slide p3, provided with lock-shoulders p,which cooperate with the notches p of the keys p very much in the sameway in which the previously-described latch-slide 7010 cooperates withthe notchesk) of the straight-vote keys 71:3. A spring p5, anchored atone end to the side of the case and connected at its other end to theend of the slide p4, yieldingly draws said slide toward the right withrespect to Figs. 7 and S. A chain or other inelastic flexible connectionp6, anchored to the case l at one end, is passed over the guide-sheavep7 and connected to the left-hand end of the slide pl. The slide p3 isprovided at its right-hand end with a dependingstop-ngerps,which worksthrough a slot p9 in the shelf 1C. A chain p10 is connected to thestop-finger@S and passed over suitable guide-sheaves p11 on the verticalpartition 1d of the case. The lower end of the chain p10 is attached toa short stud or pin pvcarried by the resetting-lever c3. The upperportion ofthe chain p6 passes over pins or studs p13, which project inpairs from the back ot' the bracket 1 for cooperation with pins p14,carried by the keys p and overlying the chain p6. The keys p are furtherpro vided with cam-actuating pins p15, which when the keys are depressedengage cani-lugs p1, carried by the lock-plungers 7.322, as best shownin Figs. (i, S, and 9. The operation of this primary-election device,brieiiy snmmarized, is as follows: To set the machine for a primaryelectiomthe door 3 is opened and the chain 7026 is drawn downward andits ring klattached to the pin kgs. This downward movement of said chainL26, as already indicated, not only rocks the rock-shaft 7c, forcesforward all ot' the lock-plungers 7522, and locks all of the keys f, butalso by drawing on the chains 7 14and 7029 moves the latchslide 7cm andlocks all of the straight-vote keys 7c3 in inoperative positions. Thevoter then selects his party by depressing one of the keys p. When oneof the keys p is depressed, its cam-actuating pin p15 engages with thecam-lug p16 of the corresponding lock-bolt 71:22 and forces the samerearward against the tension of itsspring 7a2, and thus releases thecorresponding individual-voterecording keyf. The keyf, which is thusreleased, is the only key which may thereafter be operated by the voter,and it of course may be used to vote successively for the selectedcandidates for nomination represented on the selected party-ticket. Thedepression of one of the keys p throws its. pin p14 downward against thechain p and buckles the same downward over the coperating pins p13,thereby taking up all of the slack of the said chainand,moreover,putting the same under considerable tension, so that assoon as the upper notch p of the depressed key reaches the horizontalplane of the lock plate or slide p4 the shoulders of said slide will bedrawn thereinto and into the lower notches of the other two keys p,thereby locking all three of said keys, the depressed member in itsoperative position and the other two keys in their inoperative position.The three keys p will remain locked, as above indicated, un-

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til the resetting-lever c3 is moved to its dotted-line position,(indicated in Fig. 2,) at the eXtreme limit of which movement the chainp10 Will be drawn upon, thereby drawing the lock-slide p4 toward theright with respect to Figs. 8 and 9, thus releasing the depressed keypand relieving the chain p6 from strain.

From the description given it is thought that the operation of themachine in its several uses has been made clear.

It will of course be understood that the machine above described iscapable of a great many modications Within the scope of my invention asherein set forth and claimed.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe UnitedStates, is as follows:

l. In a voting-machine, the combination with a rotary drum carryingseveral series of laterally-spaced circumferentially-disposed tallies,of a local tally-actuating key for each circumferentially-arrangedseries of tallies, and escapement mechanism actuated by said keys andcontrolling the movements of the drum, substantially as described,

2. The combination with a rotary drum carrying several series oflaterally-spaced and circumferentially-disposed tallies, of atallyactuating key for each circumferential series of tallies, Workingthrough .perfor-ations in said drum, which perforations permit initialmovements of said drum and an escapement actuated by the depression ofany of said keys, to cause an initial movement of the drum and when thekey is released to limit the step of movement of the drum, substantiallyas described.

3. The combination With the rotary drum carrying several series oflaterally-spaced and circumferentially-disposed tallies, anindividual-vote key cooperating with each circumferentially-arrangedseries o f tallies, an escapement device for the drum actuated by saidkey-oscillating tally-actuators operating on all of the tallies of thegiven circumferential series, and straight-vote keys, one for eachoscillating tally-actuator, having connections for action thereon torecord straight votes, which straight-vote devices are renderedinoperative by the first movement of the drum 7c, under the action oftheindividualvote keys, and which individual-vote keys are renderedinoperative whenever one of the straight-vote keys is operated,substantially as described.

4. The combination Witharotary drum carrying acircumferentially-disposed series of tallies, ot an individualtally-actuating key Working through perforations in said drum, whichperforations permit initial movements of said drum, an escapement forsaid drum actuated by said key, an oscillating ring mounted on said drumand provided with pawls or elements which operate on the several talliesof the series, an arm projecting from said ring to the exterior of saiddrum, a straight-vote key operating on the arm of said ring, only whenthe drum is in normal several laterally-spaced circumferentially`disposed tallies carried by said drum, an individual-vote key for actionon each series of tallies, any ot' which when depressed, actuate saidescapement, a plurality ot vote limiting or counting blocks arranged tobe set under movements of the drum, and a lock mechanism for said keyscontrolled by said blocks and limiting the number of votes which may becast by the manipulation of the said keys, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a rotary drum carrying several laterally-spacedseries of circumferentially-disposed tallies,an individualvote-recordingkey operating on the tallies of each series, an escapement for the drumactuated by the depression of any of said keys,

.a pl urality of vote-limiting blocks adapted to be set by projectionscarried by the said drum, and a locking device for said keys comprisingaslide spring-pressed against said blocks, and a iieXible inelasticconnection which when drawn taut, locks the said keys, substantially asdescribed.

7. The combination with a rotary drum carrying several series oflaterally-spaced circum ferentially-disposed tallies, of tally-actuatingkeysfhaving projections Q20, an escapement for the drum actuated by saidkeys, a plurality of vote-limiting blocks Q', the blocksetting pins orprojections Q16 carried by the drum, the latch Q2 also subject, to saidpins Q16, the spring-pressed slides Q7 yieldingly pressed against saidblocks Q', the springpressed ratchet-bar Q5 with which said latchplateQ2 cooperates, and the chain or similar connect-ion Q9 connecting saidslides Q7 and ratchet-bar Q5 and passed over guide-sheaves Q10 and tixedpin or projections Q21, the said parts operating substantially asdescribed.

8. The combination with a rotary drum carrying several series oflaterally-spaced circumferentially-disposed tallies, of an escapementdevice for controlling a step-by-step movement of the drum, anindividual-vote key for action on the tallies of each series, any ofwhich keys when depressed, actuate said escapement, a blank key havingno aetion on said tallies but acting on said escape ment, .substantially as described.

9. The combination with a continuouslylocated drum carrying severalseries of lat' IOO IIO

tuate said escapement, and a lock for stopping the movements of the saiddrum before it has quite reached its normal or starting position andwhich lock is protected so that it cannot be operated by the voter,substantially as described.VY

l0. In a voting-machine, the combination 5 with a rotary drum-carryingseveral series of laterallyspaced crcumferentiallydisposed tallies, ofan escapement for said'drum, an

individual-vote key'for action on the tallies of each series and foroperating said escapexo ment, a lock-bolt for each ot said keys, aboltactuating member connected to the several lock-bolts, by yieldingelements,V a corresponding number of primary-election keys havingconnectionsfor releasing any of said [5 lock-bolts, and means forlimiting to one, the

number of said latter keys which may be operated, and hence, the numberot' individualvote keys Which may be released and rendered operative,substantially as described.

zo ll. The combination with a rotary drum carrying several series oflaterally-spaced circumferentially-disp'osed tallies, of a primaryindividual-vote key for action on the tallies of each series, adrum-escapement'actuated 25 by said keys, a corresponding number ofpriinaryelection keys having cam actuating pins or shoulders p15, thecorresponding lockbolts 7522 having cam-lugs p16, the rock-shaft 7619independently connected to said lock-bolts 3o k by spring-fingers le24,which lock bolts when thrown forward, lock said keys f, and

i which bolts may be released by depressing one of said keys p, andmeans for limiting to one, the number of Ykeys p Which may be de- 35pressed and, consequently, the number ot' keysf Which may be releasedand rendered operative, substantially as described.

l2. In a voting-machine, the combination with individual-Vote keys andtallies'actuated thereby, of an independent-vote key, a ribbon orY'paper strip movable past the point Where names may be Written thereon,and a paWl-and{iatcl1et device for moving said ribbon actuated by saidindependent-vote key, substantially as described.

13. TheVi combination With a rotary drum and an escapement forcontrolling the movements thereof, individual-vote keys and anindependent-vote key all acting on said escapement, and a ribbon orpaper strip movable under the action of said independentvote key past apoint Where names may be Written thereon, substantially as described.

14. Thejcombination with a drum and an escapemen't controllingthemovements thereof, of individual-vote keys and an independent-Vote Vkeyall operating on said escapement, a ribbon or paper strip movable past apoint where names may be Written thereon, and apaWl-and-ratchet devicesubject to said independent-vote key and operating to impart astep-by-step movement to said ribbon or strip, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I aflx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

i ENOCH E. RITCHIE.

Witnesses:

F. E. LATHAM,

J. P'. AMANTRUST.

